Jessica Dardarian is an theatre and film actress. She trained under Allen Schmeltz, Daniel Bonnet and Robert Amico. Each at Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom, CA (2010-2015). Stagedoor Manor in Loch Sheldrake, NY (Summer 2013). NoHo London Music Hall in North Hollywood, CA (2016-present).
She studied dance, voice and combat training with Chris Tyer. Her credits are King Lear, The Vampire Masquerade, and Mary Poppins. A Winnie The Pooh Christmas Tale, Starting Here Starting Now, Into the Woods and Annie, Disney’s Jungle Book. Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, The Music Man, and Guys and Dolls. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Bugsy Malone and Disney’s Aladdin.
She is skilled in American Sign Language, swimming and horseback riding. European dialects like British English, Midwestern, Bostonian, Australian, New Yorker, Brooklyn, Cockney and Southern. Jessica is skilled in singing (Musical Theater, Opera, Jazz, Classical and Pop).
How Could You? with Jessica Dardarian and John Keating
The first time I ever acted was in a first grade school play as the Gingerbread Man. Parents at the school were impressed they mentioned to my mom. They proposed I should get involved in a local theatre company called Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom, CA. At the age 13 I was in a productions of “Honk.” It is based upon the “Ugly Duckling” fable at Runaway Stage Productions in Sacramento, CA.
indieactivity: How did you become an actor?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): I wanted to become an actress after I watched a ton of classic Disney films. They are Disney Renaissance old school MGM musicals, The Wizard of Oz. The main ones are Mary Poppins and Funny Girl. I loved to see Julie Andrews blossom on screen as the famous magical nanny. Barbra Streisand killed it as Fanny Brice in the latter. Both these women influenced me in wanting to take a gander at the acting industry.
What acting technique to you use?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): I study at Brian Cutler Actors Studio in Burbank, CA. The lessons hone my craft on-camera with cold-reading and commercial technique. The founder Brian Cutler wants pupils to cold read 30 minutes every day. This improves memorization, it works on our five senses and not to act, just be in the moment. The other plus side is that they film your performances with quality equipment and you can have your footage to use for your acting websites and reel.
Describe wrong impressions actors hold about acting?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): Acting is NOT acting, like in theatre, you just want to look like you’re having a normal conversation and not ACT out the scene. In a scene I meet a friend at a coffee shop, I would talk normally like all of us people do in our everyday lives. Just be natural and not do it.
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): I currently take on-camera acting classes at Brian Cutler Actors Studio in Burbank, CA.
What acting books do you read?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): “Acting is Everything, An Actors Guidebook to a Successful Career in Los Angeles” by Judy Kerr
How do you keep fit as an actor: mentally, physically?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): I keep fit with some yoga classes to relax my mind and body. I go walk to keep my body active.
How do you prepare for a role, after you get it?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): I make sure I read the script as many times as I can to better understand the character and who she is, plus look at the character description of what personality trait she carries. As with self-tape auditions. It is often a recommendation to have an actor memorize the script before submission to a casting director.
How do you create a character from a script into a person?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): I use my imagination to make the character my own interpretation and not copy someone else, plus look over the script to get a feeling of the plot.
How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): I tend not to stay in character as a method actors do. I read my lines repeatedly before a take or re-take. In between separate cuts, I go over my scene a couple times to myself to get in the moment.
Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): I has such during Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland,” playing the Queen of Hearts. If I needed to change something that didn’t seem right to the director, I listened, changed what I was told, and wasn’t corrected again. That’s one of the assets I have, someone tells me something once and I never get told the same thing again.
Describe a memorable character you played?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): Cordelia and the Fool “King Lear” 2016
What do you want most from a director?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): What I want most from a director is to have a good working relationship with them and not to have difficulties working with them. I just want to remain business partners, not to be friends.
What actor do you long to work with?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): Meryl Streep
Why her?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): She is one of my favorite actresses. If she is in character you can empathize with that character. After her character’s in agony, you feel it, like in “Sophie’s Choice.”
What advice would you give actors around the world?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): I have a few advices to give to actors around the world, cold read thirty minutes every day, work on your five senses, be dependable, never stop learning, and stay in the best shape for your type.
Briefly write about your career?
Jessica Dardarian (JD): “Starting Here, Starting Now” Female Soloist. How this show impacted me was how well I could command the whole stage during my big solo number and I thoroughly enjoyed working with the director of the show.
King Lear Cordelia and the Fool; the fact that I played two characters in this show was an unbelievably wonderful experience and for someone who has a knack for Shakespeare, it really helped.
Death of Harlequin Mime. I really enjoyed playing this role. I can really act this character out without any line of dialogue, just like a mime would.
Cut and Run Gemini. I recently did Cut and Run Gemini. I enjoyed being on camera for most of the film and just being in a sci-fi/horror/thriller is quite a thrill indeed!
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